is desired to limit the debate more, or close it altogether, it can be
done by a two-thirds vote, as shown in Sec. 58 (b).
66. Undebatable Questions and those Opening the Main Question to
Debate. [A full list of these will be found in Sec. 35, to which the
reader is referred. To the undebatable motions in that list, should be
added the motion to close or limit debate.]
Art. XIV. Miscellaneous.
67. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a motion has been
made and seconded, it is the duty of the chairman, if the motion is in
order, to state the question so that the assembly may know what question
is before them. The seconding of a motion is required to prevent a
question being introduced when only one member is in favor of it, and
consequently
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but little attention is paid to it in mere routine motions, or when it
is evident that many are in favor of the motion; in such cases the
chairman assumes that the motion is seconded.
Often in routine work the chairman puts the question without waiting for
even a motion, as few persons like to make such formal motions, and much
time would be wasted by waiting for them: (but the chairman can only do
this as long as no one objects.) The following motions, however, do not
have to be seconded: (a) a call for the orders of the day; (b) a call
to order, or the raising of any question of order; and (c) an objection
to the consideration of a question.
One of the commonest forms of stating a question is to say that, "It is
moved and seconded that," and then give the motion. When an amendment
has been voted on, the chairman announces the result, and then says,
"The question now recurs on the resolution," or, "on the resolution as
amended," as the case may be. So in all cases, as soon as a vote is
taken, he should immediately state the question then before the
assembly, if there be any. If the motion is debatable or can be
amended, the chairman, usually after stating the question, and
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always before finally putting it, inquires, "Are you ready for the
question?" Some of the common forms of stating and putting questions
are shown in Sec.Sec. 46-48. The forms of putting the following questions,
are, however, peculiar:
If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in
this form: "Shall t
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